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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
A Murine Tail Lymphedema Model
Published on: February 10, 2021
Microsurgery for lymphedema: clinical research and long-term results
Corradino Campisi1, Carlo Bellini, Corrado Campisi
1Department of Surgery, Unit of Lymphatic Surgery and Microsurgery, San Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Italy. campisicorradino@tin.it
Objectives:
To report the wide clinical experience and the research studies in the microsurgical treatment of peripheral lymphedema.
Methods:
More than 1800 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic microvascular procedures recognize today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA). In case of associated venous disease reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed. Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy.
Results:
Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed-up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow-up of more than 10 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery.
Conclusions:
Microsurgical LVA have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema, and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment.
